Even the calmest of brides get nervous the night before their wedding—and who can blame them? After spending the better part of the year poring over every last wedding detail, it’s natural to feel anxious about everything coming together as it should.
If you can already feel your anxiety taking over, just pause and take a deep breath. Here are our 10 best tips on how to squash pre-wedding stress and get a good night’s sleep before your big day.
Make the Most of Your Rehearsal Dinner
Rehearsal dinners are basically a fun warm-up to your big day and act as a kickoff to your wedding day festivities. It can also help ease some of your pre-wedding tension by allowing you to mingle with your closest friends and family members before the wedding.
If you’re having your rehearsal dinner the night before your wedding (as is tradition), then remember to go easy on the food and drink. Try to eat as healthy as possible and limit your alcohol consumption (be sure to factor in all the sips from the rehearsal dinner toasts) to avoid waking up with a killer hangover on your wedding day.
Keep a Note Pad and Pen by Your Bedside
You’ve done all the wedding planning you could possibly do before the big day. And yet, your stubborn brain insists on coming up with last-minute wedding ideas and little things you need to do in the morning.
To quiet these nagging thoughts, consider keeping a pen and paper handy. You can jot down quick reminders to yourself and get anything else out of your head that’s taking up valuable space in your brain. Once the thoughts are on paper, you’ll have a much easier time falling asleep.
Pack Your Wedding Day Essentials
Unfortunately, a note pad and paper probably won’t do much to help ease your worries regarding worst-case scenarios. We’re talking about things like ripping your dress right before walking down the aisle or spilling a drink on yourself during a heartfelt toast.
That’s why you should channel your nervous energy into packing a bag or a clutch with emergency items for your big day. From pain relievers and snacks to sewing kits and tampons, stocking your bag with a few must-have essentials can go a long way in soothing your anxious thoughts.
Lean on Your MOH
Your maid of honor isn’t wearing a unique bridesmaid dress on your big day for nothing. On top of being the chief organizer, the bridesmaid wrangler and the party planner extraordinaire, she’s also your healthy dose of reality when pre-wedding jitters become too much to handle.
If you’re freaking out before the big day, ask her if she would mind listening to you vent your anxieties (if she’s a good MOH, she won’t even hesitate). Be specific about what’s stressing you out: Are you worried about a relative making a scene? Your dress not fitting right? Everyone hating the food?
As your right-hand gal, she’ll do her best to ease your concerns and help you focus on what’s important: You and your groom.
Run Yourself a Bath
Who doesn’t enjoy unwinding in a hot bath after a long day? The night before your wedding is the perfect time to put up your feet and enjoy a luxe soak in the tub.
To make your bath uber relaxing, light a few tealight candles and fill the tub with a few decadent bath bombs. Once you’ve set the mood, you can then pour yourself a glass of wine (or hot tea), grab your favorite book and let your worries slip away.
Hit the Gym
If you’re still a bundle of nerves, try working up a sweat in the gym. Exercise is an incredible stress reliever because it triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones that fight stress and make us feel happier.
The benefits of exercise don’t stop at stress relief! Sneaking in a pre-wedding workout will also help you feel more confident in your skin. Not only will you look more toned, but the improved blood flow to the skin will also give you a gorgeous glow for your big day. We call that a win-win!
Try Guided Meditation
Maybe you’re not a fan of exercise. In that case, you could always try a guided meditation to help you achieve similar benefits.
Guided meditation is where the individual meditates via the help of a guide to achieve a state of deep relaxation and focus. It might sound wonky, but there’s tons of science to back up its impressive stress-relieving benefits.
Watch Something Funny
Watching a funny show or a hilarious RomCom may be just the thing you need to lighten the mood and ease your pre-wedding jitters. After all, it’s pretty tough to be overly anxious about your wedding when you’re literally crying from laughter.
Besides, laughing is good for more than just stress relief—it can also temporarily boost your immune system. If you’re hopping on a plane the day after your nuptials, your body’s immune system needs all the help it can get.
Reconsider Your Sleeping Arrangement
We get that couples traditionally sleep apart from one another the night before the wedding. But if sleeping with your partner will make you less anxious and get you more zzzs, then we’re all for bucking tradition.
If you’re determined to spend the night apart, you can always call your groom instead. He’ll probably be just as grateful to hear your voice as you are his—plus, it’ll be a cute story to tell if the two of you fall asleep on the phone together.
Don’t Switch Up Your Routine
We really can’t stress this enough: The night before your wedding is not the time to try a new facial moisturizer or that interesting DIY facial peel your friend bought you as a gift. The last thing you want is to wake up in a panic after catching sight of your red, blotchy face in the mirror.
Other than drinking more water and trying a few relaxation techniques, you should stick to your regular nightly routine. This will help ensure that you look fabulous on your big day.
Most Importantly…
Remember, all of your favorite people will be in one place tomorrow. Your wedding isn’t some show that you need to put on for other people, but a celebration of love with the people who matter most. So take a deep breath and relax—they’re all rooting for you two!
Contributed by The Professionals At Dessy.
